UBCIC Congratulates Chief Shane Gottfriedson on Election to Regional Chief of BC Assembly of First Nations

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – June 25, 2015) The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is proud to congratulate Chief Shane Gottfriedson, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, on his successful election to the position of Regional Chief of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN). BC First Nations Chiefs met today at the 12th BCAFN Annual General Meeting, and elected Chief Gottfriedson on the first ballot, with a majority of the votes cast.

Regional Chief Gottfriedson has served four (4) consecutive terms as Chief of Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, and has served as Tribal Chief for the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. He has extensive experience in strong leadership for First Nations peoples including advocacy for the Indian Residential Day Scholars’ class action suit, as well as the Douglas Reserve land claim.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, stated, “We offer our sincere congratulations to Regional Chief Gottfriedson and look forward to working with him. He has been an active member of the UBCIC Chiefs Council since becoming Chief of his community and we support full implementation of his platform to give expression to Aboriginal Title, Rights and Treaty Rights; ensure health, wellness, and good governance; protect language, traditions, and culture; and to safeguard our resources and participating in the economy.”